Why Victorian properties are so popular (2024)

31 March, 2023

According to Historic England, over a quarter of the British population live in Victorian homes*. It’s little surprise considering the reign of Queen Victoria saw the biggest building boom in UK history with more than six million houses built between 1837 and 1901, the majority of which still stand today.

Queen Victoria reigned for almost 64 years, longer than any previous monarch and was eclipsed only by Queen Elizabeth II. She was the first sovereign to take up residence at Buckingham Palace. During her reign, which ended in 1901, Britain experienced huge economic, political and societal change driven by the Industrial Revolution. This resulted in a shift from an agrarian to a manufacturing economy, leading to increased production and efficiency, lower prices, improved wages and migration from rural to urban areas.

According to The National Archive, at the start of the 19th century about 20% of Britain's population lived in London, but by 1851 half the country’s population lived in the Capital.** It was at this time that the terrace house – or the Victorian terrace, as we now call it – became the archetypal dwelling for families living in the city and emerged as a sanctuary from arduous working life.

Known for its durability, thanks to the high quality of materials such as brick, stone and cast iron used in its construction, Victorian architecture has stood the test of time. Victorian buildings often feature high ceilings and large windows, which create that bright and spacious feel that is highly sought after in homes today, yet their unique character features make them stand out from a new build style of home. Victorian homes also lend themselves beautifully to modern day living with many being transformed over the years to suit contemporary living with big open plan kitchens.

Why Victorian properties are so popular (2024)

FAQs

Why were Victorian houses popular? ›

Known for its durability, thanks to the high quality of materials such as brick, stone and cast iron used in its construction, Victorian architecture has stood the test of time.

Why is the Victorian era so popular? ›

The Victorian era saw revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts and sciences, which shaped the world as we know it today. These transformations led to many social changes with the birth and spread of political movements, most notably socialism, liberalism and organised feminism.

What makes a house a Victorian style? ›

Victorian homes are usually large and imposing. Wood or stone exterior. The majority of Victorian styles use wood siding, but the Second Empire and Romanesque styles almost always have outer walls made of stone. Complicated, asymmetrical shape.

Where are Victorian style houses most common? ›

In Great Britain and former British colonies, a Victorian house generally means any house built during the reign of Queen Victoria. During the Industrial Revolution, successive housing booms resulted in the building of many millions of Victorian houses which are now a defining feature of most British towns and cities.

Are Victorian houses strong? ›

Poor structural integrity

As Victorian homes could be close to 200 years old, the possibility of structural issues is much higher than in a more modern home. Again, there may be tell-tale signs of structural issues as you look around a property. Cracks in walls, uneven plaster and loose bricks can all be warning signs.

Why are Victorian houses so expensive? ›

Victorian-style builds require intricate designs and more skilled labor, which increases installation and build costs. The average cost to build a Victorian-style house varies with design intricacy, ranging from $50,000 to $175,000 for interior finishing alone.

What are 4 facts about the Victorian era? ›

Queen Victoria was crowned on the 28th June 1837 in Westminster Abbey. More than a million people died between 1845 and 1849 in the Irish Potato Famine. Queen Victoria gave birth to Prince Leopold and used chloroform to assist with the birth. Prince Albert, Victoria's husband, died of Typhoid at the age of 42 in 1861.

Was the Victorian era good or bad? ›

Although the Victorian era was a period of extreme social inequality, industrialisation brought about rapid changes in everyday life that affected all classes. Family life, epitomised by the young Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their nine children, was enthusiastically idealised.

What was attractive in the Victorian era? ›

Clear faces, bright eyes and tinted lips were desirable, but everything had to look natural. It was believed that cheeks painted with blush had to look flushed, and lips had to look bitten rather than painted.

What did Victorian houses have? ›

“Recognizable characteristics are steep, tiled roofs, painted brick, bay windows, and asymmetrical design,” Dadswell says. “Wooden floorboards, plaster cornicing, sweeping staircases, wooden sash windows, and tiled entrance hallways would have been incorporated into most Victorian homes.”

What state has the best Victorian houses? ›

Old Louisville in Kentucky has the highest concentration of restored Victorian homes in the US. Originally called the Southern Extension, Old Louisville was built in the 1870s as a suburb, which was 48 city blocks long and filled with Victorian mansions.

What defines Victorian architecture? ›

Victorian-era architecture is marked by its unapologetic devotion to ornament and flourish and its ornate maximalist interior design. While there are many different styles encompassed in Victorian-era architecture, some common features that will help you spot a Victorian from the outside include: Steeply pitched roofs.

What is it like living in a Victorian house? ›

Uncomfortable draughts and difficult to heat

Nowadays, we don't appreciate windows that let air in, so you'll probably have to fork out extra to seal draughts. In addition, those gorgeous high ceilings and original windows may make it difficult to heat your home.

What age is a Victorian house? ›

Date: Victorian houses were built between 1837 and 1901, when Queen Victoria was on the throne. The Victorian age saw the introduction of the modern terrace - with a living room at the front, and a kitchen at the back - to house the many people who moved into urban areas for jobs and a better life.

What characterizes a Victorian house? ›

“Recognizable characteristics are steep, tiled roofs, painted brick, bay windows, and asymmetrical design,” Dadswell says. “Wooden floorboards, plaster cornicing, sweeping staircases, wooden sash windows, and tiled entrance hallways would have been incorporated into most Victorian homes.”

What are the historical facts about Victorian houses? ›

HISTORY
  • Victorian homes were named after the Queen Victoria era, which lasted from 1837 to 1901. ...
  • In the 1800s, the Victorian mansion was famous among upper-class people. ...
  • They often featured beautiful architecture and at least two, but sometimes three, floors.

What were the facts about rich Victorian homes? ›

Most rich people had servants and they would live in the same house, frequently sleeping on the top floor or the attic. The rich had water pumps in their kitchens or sculleries and their waste was taken away down into underground sewers. Gradually, improvements for the poor were made.

Why were Victorian houses so colorful? ›

Victorian Era Color Palettes

Various hues of ochre, russet, beige, brown and taupe were chosen because of the idea that the house should blend with its natural surroundings.

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